Neutralizing Antibody Responses against Five SARS-CoV-2 Variants and T Lymphocyte Change after Vaccine Breakthrough Infections from the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.1 Variant in Tianjin, China: A Prospective Study / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate whether Omicron BA.1 breakthrough infection after receiving the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine could create a strong immunity barrier.@*METHODS@#Blood samples were collected at two different time points from 124 Omicron BA.1 breakthrough infected patients and 124 controls matched for age, gender, and vaccination profile. Live virus-neutralizing antibodies against five SARS-CoV-2 variants, including WT, Gamma, Beta, Delta, and Omicron BA.1, and T-lymphocyte lymphocyte counts in both groups were measured and statistically analyzed.@*RESULTS@#The neutralizing antibody titers against five different variants of SARS-CoV-2 were significantly increased in the vaccinated population infected with the Omicron BA.1 variant at 3 months after infection, but mainly increased the antibody level against the WT strain, and the antibody against the Omicron strain was the lowest. The neutralizing antibody level decreased rapidly 6 months after infection. The T-lymphocyte cell counts of patients with mild and moderate disease recovered at 3 months and completely returned to the normal state at 6 months.@*CONCLUSION@#Omicron BA.1 breakthrough infection mainly evoked humoral immune memory in the original strain after vaccination and hardly produced neutralizing antibodies specific to Omicron BA.1. Neutralizing antibodies against the different strains declined rapidly and showed features similar to those of influenza. Thus, T-lymphocytes may play an important role in recovery.

Expressions and Clinical Significance of Notch1 and Hes1 in Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the expressions of Notch1 and Hes1 in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), and their correlations with clinical features.@*METHODS@#Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed on DLBCL samples (54 cases) and lymphadenitis tissues (20 cases) to evaluate the expressions of Notch1 and Hes1, and analyze their correlations with clinical characteristics of patients. Based on Oncomine database, the expressions of Notch1 and Hes1 mRNA and DNA were also explored.@*RESULTS@#IHC result showed that the positive expression rates of Notch1 and Hes1 in DLBCL patients were significantly higher than those in the control group (P <0.05). In DLBCL patients, the expression of Notch1 was closely associated with B symptoms, Ann Arbor stage, lymphocyte count and the level of lactate dehydrogenase (P <0.05), while the expression level of Hes1 was significantly higher in patients with B symptoms (P <0.05). Notch+/Hes1+ expression was found in 21 DLBCL tissues (38.9%), and there was a correlation between Notch1 and Hes1 expression (r =0.296, P <0.05). Bioinformatics analysis (Oncomine database) showed that the mRNA expressions of Notch1 and Hes1 in the Brune dataset were significantly higher than those in the control tissues (P <0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The expressions of Notch1 and Hes1 in DLBCL are significantly higher than those in lymphadenitis, and correlated with B symptoms and Ann Arbor stage, suggesting that Notch1 and Hes1 play important roles in the occurrence and development of DLBCL.

Genetic pathogenesis of acephalic spermatozoa syndrome: past, present, and future / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

Acephalic spermatozoa syndrome (ASS) is one of the most severe spermatogenic failures of all infertility in men. The cognition of ASS has experienced a tortuous process. Over the past years, with the in-depth understanding of spermatogenesis and the emergence of new genetic research technologies, the unraveling of the genetic causes of spermatogenic failure has become highly active. From these advances, we established a genetic background and made significant progress in the discovery of the genetic causes of ASS. It is important to identify pathogenic genes and mutations in ASS to determine the biological reasons for the occurrence of the disease as well as provide genetic diagnosis and treatment strategies for patients with this syndrome. In this review, we enumerate various technological developments, which have made a positive contribution to the discovery of candidate genes for ASS from the past to the present. Simultaneously, we summarize the known genetic etiology of this phenotype and the clinical outcomes of treatments in the present. Furthermore, we propose perspectives for further study and application of genetic diagnosis and assisted reproductive treatment in the future.

Influencing Factors of Horizontal Movement Distance of Bodies in High Falling Deaths / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To explore the influencing factors of the horizontal distance of bodies in the high falling scene and the feasibility of inferring the falling mode based on it.@*METHODS@#A total of 614 high falling deaths and 15 cases of corpse dumping from high altitudes were collected. The relationship between the horizontal distance and the falling height, as well as the sex, age and manner of death (suicide, accident and corpse dumping) were observed.@*RESULTS@#The horizontal distance increased with the increase of falling height, and the difference among the height groups was statistically significant. The horizontal distance decreased with the increase of the age of the deceased, in each height group, the difference between the group over 60 years old and other age groups was statistically significant (P<0.05). The horizontal distance of male deceased was (1.99±0.27) m, which was greater than that of female deceased (1.88±0.19) m, and the difference was statistically significant in partial height groups (P<0.05). Roof falls had a greater horizontal movement distance than window falls. Except for the >20-30 m group, there was no significant difference in horizontal distance between suicide high falls and accidental high falls in other height groups.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The horizontal distance is affected by the falling height, the sex and age of the victim, and the spatial characteristics of the falling starting point.

Role of SphK1/S1P signaling pathway in adiponectin-induced restoration of attenuation of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury by sevoflurane postconditioning in diabetic rats / 中华麻醉学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the role of SphK1/S1P signaling pathway in adiponectin-induced restoration of attenuation of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury by sevoflurane postconditioning in diabetic rats.Methods:Healthy clean-grade male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 8-10 weeks, weighing 250-300 g, in which diabetes mellitus was induced by combination of high-fat and high-sucrose diet and intraperitoneal injection of 1% streptozotoein in citric acid buffer 40 mg/kg, were studied.Ninety rats with diabetes mellitus were divided into 6 groups ( n=15 each) using a random number table method: sham operation group (group Sham), group I/R, sevoflurane postconditioning group (group S), adiponectin preconditioning group (group A), adiponectin preconditioning+ sevoflurane postconditioning group (group AS) and adiponectin preconditioning+ K6PC-5 (a specific SphK1 activator)+ sevoflurane postconditioning group (group AKS). Myocardial I/R was induced by 30 min occlusion of anterior descending branch of left coronary artery followed by 120 min reperfusion.At 15 min before ischemia, recombinant adiponectin 5.0 μg/g was injected intraperitoneally in A, AS and AKS groups, and K6PC-5 1 μg/g was injected via the tail vein in group AKS.In S, AS and AKS groups, 2.5% sevoflurane was inhaled for 5 min starting from the onset of reperfusion.Blood samples from the internal jugular vein were collected at the end of reperfusion for determination of serum cardiac troponin I (cTnI) concentration (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), percentage of myocardial infarct volume (by TTC staining) and expression of SphK1, S1P and phosphorylated NF-κB p65 (p-NF-κB p65) in myocardial tissues (by Western blot). Results:Compared with group Sham, the serum cTnI concentration and percentage of myocardial infarct volume were significantly increased, and expression of SphK1, S1P and p-NF-κB p65 in myocardial tissues was up-regulated in group I/R ( P<0.05). Compared with group I/R, no significant change was found in each parameter in group S ( P>0.05), and the serum cTnI concentration and percentage of myocardial infarct volume were significantly decreased, and expression of SphK1, S1P and p-NF-κB p65 in myocardial tissues was down-regulated in group A ( P<0.05). Compared with group S, the serum cTnI concentration and percentage of myocardial infarct volume were significantly decreased, and expression of SphK1, S1P and p-NF-κB p65 in myocardial tissues was down-regulated in group AS ( P<0.05). Compared with group AS, the serum cTnI concentration and percentage of myocardial infarct volume were significantly increased, and expression of SphK1, S1P and p-NF-κB p65 in myocardial tissues was up-regulated in group AKS ( P<0.05). Conclusion:SphK1/S1P signaling pathway is involved in adiponectin-induced restoration of attenuation of myocardial I/R injury by sevoflurane postconditioning in diabetic rats.

Acupuncture at acupoints along the meridians for primary insomnia: a multi-center randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the clinical effect differences among different acupoint selection methods for primary insomnia.@*METHODS@#A total of 333 patients with primary insomnia were recruited from 3 study centers and randomly divided into a group A (111 cases, 7 cases dropped off), a group B (111 cases, 5 cases dropped off) and a group C (111 cases, 2 cases dropped off). The patients in the group A were treated with acupuncture at Shenmen (HT 7) and Baihui (GV 20), the patients in the group B were treated with acupuncture at Sanyinjiao (SP 6) and Baihui (GV 20), and the patients in the group C were treated with acupuncture at non-acupoint and Baihui (GV 20). All the treatment was given once a day, 30 min each time; 5 treatments were taken as a course and 5 courses of treatment were given. The Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) and Athens insomnia scale (AIS) scores were evaluated before and after treatment as well as 4 weeks after treatment. The encephalofluctuograph technology (ET) was observed before and after treatment.@*RESULTS@#Compared before treatment, the PSQI scores after treatment and at follow-up were significantly decreased in three groups (0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The acupuncture at acupoints along the meridians could improve the sleep quality in patients with primary insomnia, and the therapeutic effect of acupoint along the meridians is better than that of non-acupoint.

The health effects of Baduanjin exercise (a type of Qigong exercise) in breast cancer survivors: A randomized, controlled, single-blinded trial.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Baduanjin exercise, which is a traditional Chinese Qigong exercise, in breast cancer survivors to assess its efficacy for physical and psychological rehabilitation. METHODS: The study was a single-blinded randomized controlled trial. Eighty-six subjects were randomly assigned to the intervention (n = 46) or control (n = 40) groups. The intervention group received Baduanjin exercise 3 days/week at hospital and another 4 days/week at home for 6 months, whereas the control group were requested to maintain their original physical activity. Outcomes included body mass index (BMI), heart rate variability, lung capacity, arm circumference, shoulder range of motion, step test index, anxiety, depression, and quality of life (QOL). RESULTS: After 6 months of intervention, heart rate variability and shoulder range of motion were significantly improved in the Baduanjin group compared to the control group (P < 0.05). There were also significant improvements in depression, QOL, and four QOL dimension scores (physical well-being, social well-being, functional well-being, and breast cancer subscale) (P < 0.05). However, there were no differences in the BMI, lung capacity, arm circumference, step test index, anxiety, and the emotional well-being QOL dimension scores. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that Baduanjin is an effective intervention for improving physical and psychological health outcomes among breast cancer survivors, which is worth recommending and implementing by oncology nurses for breast cancer survivors during their long rehabilitation journeys.

Changes in methylation status of the whole genome and GCH1 gene in patients with herpes zoster neuralgia / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective To analyze the correlation between herpes zoster neuralgia and the methylation status of the whole genome and GCH1 gene.Methods From June to October in 2017,patients with confirmed herpes zoster and obvious neuralgia were selected in Department of Dermatology,The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University,who achieved complete remission (no effect was observed on normal sleep) of neuralgia after antiviral and neurotrophic treatment.Finally,36 patients and 36 healthy controls were enrolled into this study.Peripheral blood samples were obtained from the healthy controls and patients before and after the treatment.Dot-blot hybridization assay was performed to determine the methylation status of the whole genome,methylated-DNA IP kit was used to enrich the methylation sites of the GCH1 gene,and real-time quantitative PCR was conducted to detect changes in methylation status of the GCH1 gene.Statistical analysis was carried out with GraphPad Prism v7.00 software by using paired t test for the comparison of methylation status before and after the treatment,and two-sample t test for the comparison between the patient group and control group.Results The relative methylation level of the whole genome was 135.94 ± 2.52 in the patients before treatment,significantly lower than that in the patients after treatment (144.76 ± 3.48,t =2.056,P ＜ 0.05) and healthy control group (146.84 ± 3.39,t =2.580,P ＜ 0.05).However,there was no significant difference in the methylation status of the whole genome between the patients after treatment and healthy controls (t =0.429,P ＞ 0.05).Compared with the patients after treatment (0.89 ± 0.13) and healthy control group (0.97 ± 0.07),the methylation status of the GCH1 gene significantly decreased in the patients before treatment (0.65 ± 0.17;t =3.977,4.648 respectively,P ＜ 0.05,＜ 0.01 respectively),while no significant difference between the patients after treatment and the healthy controls (t =0.506,P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion The methylation status of the whole genome and GCH 1 gene markedly decreased in the patients with herpes zoster neuralgia.

Manual Acupuncture Stimulation of Paired Acupoints Can Relieve Sleep Disorder Possibly by Upregulating Pineal Melatonin Protein and Its Receptor mRNA Levels in the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus in Insomnia Rats / 针刺研究

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of manual acupuncture stimulation of paired "Baihui" (GV 20)+ "Shenmen" (HT 7), GV 20+ "Sanyinjiao" (SP 6), and GV 20+ non-acupoint on expression of melatonine (MT) and suprachiasmatic melatonin receptor 1 (MT1) and melatonin receptor 2 (MT2) mRNAs in insomnia rats, so as to explore their action difference and the underlying mechanism in improving insomnia. METHODS: Male SD rats were randomly divided into normal control (n=12), mo-del (n=8), GV 20+HT 7(n=12), GV 20+SP 6(n=11), and GV 20+ non-acupoint (n=10) groups. The insomnia model was established by intraperitoneal injection of Para-chlorophenylalanine suspension (50 mg/mL, 50 mg/100 g), once daily for 2 days. The abovementioned acupoints GV 20, bilateral HT 7, SP 6 and non-acupoints (the midpoint between the elbow-tip and armpit on the medial side of the upper-arm) were punctured with filiform needles and manipulated by rotating the needle for about 1 min which was repeated once again every 10 min during 30 minutes' needle-retaining. The treatment was conducted once daily for 7 days. The expression levels of MT immunoactivity in the conarium tissue, and MT1 and MT2 mRNAs of the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) region were detected using immunohistochemistry and fluorescence quantitative real time-PCR, respectively. RESULTS: After modeling, the expression levels of pineal MT (an increase of gray value means a decrease of immunoactivity), SCN MT1 and MT2 mRNAs were notably down-regulated in the model group relevant to the normal control group (P0.05). CONCLUSION: Manual acupuncture stimulation of GV 20+ HT 7 and GV 20+ SP 6 can improve the sleep disorder in insomnia rats, which may be related to its effects in increasing the levels of pineal MT protein, and MT1 and MT2 mRNAs in hypothalamic SCN.

Effects of Herbal-cake-separated Moxibustion on Blood Lipid Protein Levels and Expression of Toll-like Receptor and Nuclear Factor Genes in Atherosclerotic Plaques in Hyperglycemia Rabbits / 针刺研究

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of herbal cake-separated moxibustion on blood lipid-apoprotein levels and the expression of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR 2), TLR 4 and nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κB) mRNAs in atherosclerotic (AS) vulnerable plaques of hyperglycemia rabbits, so as to explore its mechanism underlying improvement of atherosclerosis. METHODS: Sixty New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into 5 groups: control, model, direct moxibustion, herbal-cake-separated moxibustion and medication groups(n＝12 rabbits in each group). The AS vulnerable plaque model was established by high-fat forage feeding plus balloon-induced abdominal aorta injury and gene transfection of Ad 5-p 53 recombinant vector. Direct moxibustion or herbal-cake-separated moxibustion was applied to "Juque" (CV 14) and bilateral "Tianshu" (ST 25), "Fenglong" (ST 40), or bilateral "Xinshu" (BL 15), "Pishu" (BL 20) and "Ganshu" (BL 18) for 15－20 min every time. The medication group was treated by feeding Atorvastatin. All the treatments were conducted once daily for 8 weeks. Plasma total cholesterol(TC) and triglyceri-de(TG) contents were detected by enzyme method, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) contents detected by colorimetric determination, and plasma apolipoprotein A(Apo-A) and apolipoprotein B(Apo-B) levels determined by electrophoretic method. The pathological changes of vulnerable plaque and the aortic intima and media thickness were observed under light microscope after H．E. staining. The expression levels of TLR 2, TLR 4 and NF-κB mRNAs in AS plaques were determined by quantitative real-time PCR. RESULTS: After modeling, the levels of plasma TC, TG, LDL and Apo-B in the model group were remarkably increased (P0.05). CONCLUSION: Herbal-cake-separated moxibustion has a positive role in stabilizing AS vulnerable plaque in hyperglycemia rabbits, which may be associated with its effects in regulating blood lipid-apolipoprotein levels and inhibiting the expression of TLR 2, TLR 4 and NF-κB mRNAs in vulnerable plaques.